We all know that 2020 has been a rather tepid year when it comes to blockbuster movies, and for good reason. Who in their right mind would want to launch their huge box office smash hit movie when every cinema in the world is closed due to coronavirus restrictions? Clearly the smart thing to do is to just hold off until everything returns to normal, and a lot of big budget film makers that are fortunate enough to have the equity to do that have done that. However, a lot of other smaller or independent film makers have been forced to sell the rights to their movies to streaming services in order to pay the bills - so to speak. What this has meant for us as viewers is access to a large number of sleeper hits that we have been able to watch in our own homes.
So what is a sleeper hit? In the entertainment industry a sleeper hit is any movie, TV series, music release or video game that is usually not very successful upon first release and then gains momentum and becomes a huge success down the track. Sleeper hits often have little promotion or lack a successful launch (this often happens with films that go directly to streaming) but then they builds a reputation through critic reviews and attention which increases their overall exposure. Eventually the unknown form of entertainment becomes very popular because it has gained outside attention for being very good, original or controversial.
Some great examples of past sleeper hit movies that started out small and then deservingly gained a large following are:
And so without further ado, here is my list of the top ten movies that have streamed this year that I would not only recommend but also regard as 2020 sleeper hits that are definitely worthy of your time and attention:
So what is a sleeper hit? In the entertainment industry a sleeper hit is any movie, TV series, music release or video game that is usually not very successful upon first release and then gains momentum and becomes a huge success down the track. Sleeper hits often have little promotion or lack a successful launch (this often happens with films that go directly to streaming) but then they builds a reputation through critic reviews and attention which increases their overall exposure. Eventually the unknown form of entertainment becomes very popular because it has gained outside attention for being very good, original or controversial.
Some great examples of past sleeper hit movies that started out small and then deservingly gained a large following are:
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - International/ Action
- Slumdog Millionaire - Romance/ Drama
- Juno - Drama
- Saw - Horror
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding - Comedy/ Romance
- Napoleon Dynamite - Comedy
- Paranormal Activity - Horror
- The Greatest Showman - Musical
And so without further ado, here is my list of the top ten movies that have streamed this year that I would not only recommend but also regard as 2020 sleeper hits that are definitely worthy of your time and attention:
- #Alive - International/ Horror (Netflix)
- Enola Holmes - Crime/ Action (Netflix)
- Black is King - Music (Disney)
- His House - Horror (Netflix)
- Relic - Horror (Stan)
- Da 5 Bloods - War (Netflix)
- The Willoughbys - Kids (Netflix)
- The Platform - International/ Thriller (Netflix)
- Swallow - Thriller (Stan)
- Palm Springs - Romance (Prime)
PALM SPRINGS
Release Date: 2020
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 90 mins
With a big nod to Groundhog Day, this modern take on the time travel/romance genre delivers an unexpectedly sweet and enjoyable ride. Directed by Max Barbakow and written by Andy Siara, Palm Springs dives just far enough in to the time loop idea to keep you interested without becoming too convoluted or complicated.
At her sister's wedding reception, maid of honour Sarah (Cristin Milioti) hooks up with Nyles (Andy Samberg) after he rescues her from an awkward wedding speech. However, it is not until Sarah wakes up the next morning that it becomes clear that something extremely unusual has happened.
Palm Springs is certainly not a game changer, but it is also not a total waste of time either (pardon the pun). The onscreen chemistry between Milioti and Samberg is actually quite plausible and helps the film to gain some levity along the way and the two seem genuinely at ease with each other as they navigate their new situation.
Andy Samberg is actually good as the obnoxious and drunken character Nyles and it was really good to see him doing something that wasn't just completely cheesy and throw away for a change. With some solid acting support from J.K. Simmons and Meredith Hagner, in the end, this film comes together in a quite enjoyable way.
FINAL SAY: I would rather die with you, than live in a world without you.
3 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2020
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 90 mins
With a big nod to Groundhog Day, this modern take on the time travel/romance genre delivers an unexpectedly sweet and enjoyable ride. Directed by Max Barbakow and written by Andy Siara, Palm Springs dives just far enough in to the time loop idea to keep you interested without becoming too convoluted or complicated.
At her sister's wedding reception, maid of honour Sarah (Cristin Milioti) hooks up with Nyles (Andy Samberg) after he rescues her from an awkward wedding speech. However, it is not until Sarah wakes up the next morning that it becomes clear that something extremely unusual has happened.
Palm Springs is certainly not a game changer, but it is also not a total waste of time either (pardon the pun). The onscreen chemistry between Milioti and Samberg is actually quite plausible and helps the film to gain some levity along the way and the two seem genuinely at ease with each other as they navigate their new situation.
Andy Samberg is actually good as the obnoxious and drunken character Nyles and it was really good to see him doing something that wasn't just completely cheesy and throw away for a change. With some solid acting support from J.K. Simmons and Meredith Hagner, in the end, this film comes together in a quite enjoyable way.
FINAL SAY: I would rather die with you, than live in a world without you.
3 Chilli Peppers
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